Exploring the Ozark Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas
Today we are taking a trip to the Arkansas Ozarks. Nestled in a small town there lies the "Folk Music Capital of the World," Mountain View, Arkansas. There are many natural resources to be explored in the area, like the Ozark National Forest and Blanchard Springs Caverns. For those interested in music, culture, and history, the city regularly offers live music and events for community members at their local courthouse. While there is much to see in the area, the Ozark Folk Center stands out as a place where curious individuals can learn about and be immersed in history and culture.
A park in the Arkansas State Parks System, the Ozark Folk Center "is dedicated to perpetuating the music, crafts, and culture of the Ozarks."
Exhibits & Resources:
Craft Village
There's a lot to learn while visiting the Ozark Folk Center. Located on site is a Craft Village, where artists and instructors demonstrate how to make and use tools that Arkansans who lived in the area would have crafted and used in their day to day lives. Visitors can watch quilt and soap making, blacksmithing, knifemaking, gardening and more, while visiting traditional shops and learning about the resources and tools that make this kind of creation possible. The craft village features over 20 different shops, each with a highly skilled artisan available to talk about history, culture, and their craftsmanship with visitors.
Gardening
Do you know what native plants from the Ozarks can be used as medicine? Traditional Arkansans did, and you can learn as well by exploring the Heritage Herb Garden, one of the most diverse organic herb gardens in the nation! During workshops, visitors are guided through exploring a variety of herbs and will learn what they look like, how they smell and feel, and how they were used for food as well as health and wellness.
Music
It's not called the "Folk Music Capital of the World" for nothing. Walking around the park, you might spot someone playing a banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, autoharp, or other traditional instrument. The Ozark Folk Center holds a large music venue and not only regularly hosts musicians featuring bluegrass and folk music, but also have regular musical guests entertaining in the Craft Village. Park visitors can hear some great music and learn how and why folk music influenced the Arkansas Ozarks.
Learn More:
There's so much fun to be had and things to learn while visiting the Ozark Folk Center. Whether your interests lie in science and nature or history and culture, there are features to be explored there. To learn more about the Ozark Folk Center, visit the park website page at https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/ozark-folk-center-state-park. There you'll be able to learn more about the area, check out the event calendar, and plan your next visit!
